Method for thermally treating a substance

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for thermally treating a substance (2) in a furnace, wherein the substance (2) is heated by the combustion of a fuel gas (16) and / or by means of a plasma which is provided in or by a plasma generation element (9) from a plasma gas (12), and / or is heated by means of a hot gas produced using the plasma, wherein at least part of the fuel gas (16) and / or an oxygen source (18) is used as the plasma gas (12), wherein the plasma gas (12) is supplied to a device (6) for providing thermal energy by means of inductive generation of the plasma.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR THE THERMAL TREATMENT OF A SUBSTANCE

[0002] The invention relates to a method for the thermal treatment of a material, in particular glass or glass-ceramic, in a furnace, wherein the material is heated by the combustion of a fuel gas and / or by means of a plasma which is provided in or by a plasma generating element from a plasma gas, and / or by means of a hot gas produced with the plasma.

[0003] The invention further relates to a device for providing thermal energy comprising a device body with a plasma generating element in which or on which at least one electrical induction coil is arranged, and at least one first flow channel arranged in or on the device body for supplying a plasma gas.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for the thermal treatment of a material, in particular glass or glass ceramic, comprising a burner for the combustion of a fuel gas and a plasma generating element, and a treatment chamber for arranging or receiving the material.

[0005] WO 2023 / 041684 Al describes a process and apparatus for the thermal treatment, sintering or melting of inorganic raw materials with or without carbon or other organic additives for the production or thermal post-treatment of ceramics, refractory ceramics, glass, cement, metals, composite materials or carbon-containing or carbon-bonded products, wherein at least one gas burner for the combustion of hydrogen, methane, propane, butane, natural gas or mixtures thereof is combined with at least one plasma burner in a furnace unit.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to reduce the loss of thermal energy during the thermal treatment of a material.

[0007] To solve the problem, the aforementioned method provides that at least a portion of the fuel gas and / or an oxygen source, in particular oxygen, is used as the plasma gas, wherein the plasma gas is supplied to a device for providing thermal energy by means of inductive plasma generation. Furthermore, the problem of the invention is solved with the aforementioned device, in which a second flow channel for supplying fuel gas to a burner for combustion of the supplied fuel gas is arranged in or on the device body.

[0008] The object of the invention is also solved with the device for the thermal treatment of a substance, in which the burner for combustion of the fuel gas and the plasma generating element are combined in a common device for providing thermal energy, wherein the device is designed according to the invention.

[0009] An advantage of this is that using the plasma gas as a fuel gas reduces the amount of exhaust gas without reducing the amount of thermal energy provided. By using the same gas as both plasma and fuel gas, it can be used not only to provide electrically generated thermal energy but also to generate thermal energy from combustion. The plasma gas can act as a combustion partner within the fuel gas. This is further enhanced by combining the fuel gas supply and plasma generation in a single device. The invention also enables at least partial recycling of exhaust gas from the system itself, not only for heat exchange with another fluid but also, for example, to improve plasma formation if the exhaust gas contains argon, or to adjust the relative proportions of the fuel gas components.By reducing the amount of exhaust gas, the thermal loss of the process or system is reduced. Electrical energy is coupled into the plasma via induction. Eliminating electrodes prevents electrode erosion and thus avoids process interference in the furnace or impairment of the material being thermally treated. The invention allows for a variable change in energy input between 0% and 100%, so that either only thermal energy from combustion or only thermal energy from the plasma is introduced into the material being treated. For example, the proportion of thermal energy from the combustion of the fuel gas to the total thermal energy can be 0% or between 20% and 100%, particularly between 30% and 90%. This also prevents corrosion of the device or equipment for the thermal treatment of a material by foreign oxides.On the other hand, the variability of the electrically supplied heat makes it possible to react to short-term load changes or an oversupply of electricity by compensating for the curtailed electrical energy by increasing the proportion of fuel gas used for combustion.

[0010] In one embodiment, it may be provided that a feed element for the combustion of the fuel gas is arranged on the device, or that an additional oxygen source is arranged, in order to enable, for example, completely plasma-free operation of the device.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that only the oxygen source is used as the plasma gas in order to further enhance the aforementioned effects. For example, oxygen can be used as the plasma gas and as a component of the fuel gas for combustion.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the fuel gas selected may be from a group of gases including natural gas, hydrogen, gaseous ethanol, blast furnace gas, town gas, methane, ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, butane, carbon monoxide, biomethane, e-NG, LPG, gaseous ethanol and gaseous methanol, ammonia, and mixtures thereof. Particularly when using CO2-neutral or so-called green fuel gas (biofuel, efuel, H2) and green electricity, heat generation with the invention is CO2-neutral or CO2-free, making the combination of the plasma generation element with the combustion burner more advantageous from an environmental perspective.

[0013] For the combination of combustion and plasma in a device, it is advantageous if, according to one embodiment of the invention, only oxygen or a gas with an oxygen content of at least 90 vol.% is used as the oxygen source.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an oxygen source containing between 0.1 vol% and 5 vol% argon can be used, thereby improving plasma generation. Such an oxygen source, as plasma gas, can also be reused as recycled material in the device after its use in the thermal treatment of the substance, as described above. According to another embodiment of the invention, the oxygen source can be fed centrally into the combustion flame or the device for providing thermal energy. According to one embodiment of the device, the feed element for the oxygen source can be arranged concentrically to the first flow channel or concentrically to the second flow channel, so that the oxygen source is introduced centrally into the first or second flow channel.This allows the length of the hot flame to be significantly reduced compared to a flame produced purely with fuel gas at the same power output (by up to 75% of the conventional flame length), thus achieving better protection of plant components, especially in the treatment chamber area, at the same thermal power output.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the oxygen source can be supplied in a superstoichiometric proportion for the combustion of the fuel gas. This superstoichiometric injection of the oxygen source is advantageous for maximizing the input of electrical energy into the plasma torch and / or for cooling the outer regions of the plasma flame.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the fuel gas and / or the oxygen source for combustion is positioned at an angle between 5 0and 85°, especially between 60 0 and 85°, is supplied or are supplied, or that the second flow channel is arranged at least in an end section from which the fuel gas exits, at an angle to the first flow channel, which consists of a range of 5 0 and 85°, especially between 60 0 and 85°, which allows the method or device to be better adapted to different ratios of thermal "power" of the plasma / thermal "power" from combustion.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, in order to reduce the exhaust gas volume, it may be provided that an exhaust gas from a treatment chamber in which the thermal treatment of the material takes place is used as a component of the plasma gas and / or the fuel gas.

[0018] To increase the efficiency of the process or system, a further embodiment may provide for the plasma gas and / or the fuel gas to be preheated, whereby in particular the waste heat from the process itself is used for preheating the plasma gas or fuel gas. For this purpose, the treatment chamber of the device for the thermal treatment of a material may, according to one embodiment, have an exhaust gas outlet that is flow-connected to a heat exchanger, e.g., a recuperator. The fuel gas or plasma gas can thus be preheated in the heat exchanger.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generation element and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion to the total input thermal energy can be adjusted and / or controlled depending on the control power of an external power grid. The device can include a control element that regulates the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generation element and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion to the total input thermal energy depending on the control power of a power grid and / or can be connected to an energy exchange for data exchange. This makes it possible to perform real-time control based on media costs in order to minimize process costs. Furthermore, it also enables the adjustment of control power based on availability, so that the device or...The device according to the invention can also be used as a buffer for power grids. Control power (also known as reserve power) refers to the electrical power that ensures that the grid load in a power grid always matches the electricity generation fed into the grid, thus keeping the grid frequency constant within a narrow range and the grid stable. The hybrid design of the device makes this possible by supplying more or less thermal energy from combustion to the thermal treatment process of a material, depending on the requirements.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one further feed element for the oxygen source or for the exhaust gas from the treatment chamber can also be arranged in the treatment chamber. This can, in particular, feed the oxygen source or the exhaust gas into a hot spot and thus be used for cooling, for example, the lining of the treatment chamber and / or for directing the flame or plasma torch.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment chamber can be designed as a closed chamber, allowing for the creation of overpressure to prevent the ingress of air and the formation of nitrogen oxides. For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0022] They each show, in simplified, schematic form:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a device for the thermal treatment of a material;

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a device for providing thermal energy.

[0025] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations must be applied analogously to the new position if the position changes.

[0026] For the purposes of this description, plasma gas refers to a gas or mixture of gases that is used in a plasma torch to form a plasma.

[0027] For the purposes of this description, a hot gas is defined as a gas or gas mixture heated by the plasma.

[0028] For the purposes of this description, fuel gas refers to a gas or gas mixture that is supplied to a combustion reaction in / with a gas burner. The gas burner is not the same as the plasma torch, but it can be combined with the plasma torch in a single device.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a device 1 for the thermal treatment of a substance 2 (hereinafter referred to as device 1).

[0030] The substance 2 can be a liquid or a gas. Preferably, however, the substance 2 is a solid, for example, a metallic solid or, more preferably, glass or at least a raw material for the production of glass. For the purposes of this invention, the term "substance" therefore also includes mixtures or blends of several different substances 2. For the purposes of this description, the term "glass" also includes "glass-ceramic," so the latter is implied by the term "glass" and is therefore no longer specifically mentioned. The thermal treatment can be the melting of the substance 2, the tempering of the substance 2 (for example, maintaining a specific temperature), or the heating of the substance 2. The thermal treatment can also include a chemical reaction carried out at an elevated temperature.This list of possible uses of the device 1 is only to be understood as an example, whereby the melting of a solid, in particular the production of glass, is one of the preferred applications.

[0031] Since the areas of application of the device 1 are different, the schematic representation in Fig. 1 is not limiting, but is only to be understood as illustrating the invention.

[0032] The device 1 includes a receptacle 3 for the substance 2. The receptacle 3 can be a separate container in which the substance 2 is located. In the case of a gas, or generally, the receptacle 3 can also be a housing 4 of a treatment chamber 5, or a chamber of the treatment chamber 5, in which the substance 2 is located for thermal treatment. The aforementioned separate container, if present, is also arranged in the treatment chamber 5.

[0033] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that more than one intake 3 for substance 2 may be arranged in the treatment chamber 5, and that different substances 2 may be held in the intakes 3, for example to carry out a chemical reaction.

[0034] The device 1 further comprises a device 6 for providing thermal energy (hereinafter referred to simply as device 6). The device 6 provides the thermal energy for the thermal treatment of the substance 2. The device 6 is preferably arranged on the housing 4 of the treatment chamber 5 such that a media flow 7, which is generated by or discharged from the device, extends into or towards the treatment chamber 5.

[0035] For further components of the device 1 that are not mentioned or described below, reference is made to the relevant prior art to avoid repetition. The device 6 has a device body 8 (also referred to as a burner body), as can be seen more clearly in Fig. 2, which shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of the device 6. A plasma generating element 9 and a burner 10 for the (chemical) combustion of a gas are arranged in the device body 8. The device 6 can therefore also be referred to as a hybrid plasma burner.

[0036] At least one electrical induction coil 11 for plasma generation is arranged in or on the device body 8. Several induction coils 11 can also be used, which may optionally be independently controllable and / or adjustable. The multiple induction coils 11 can be arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of a plasma gas 12 (indicated by a flow arrow in Fig. 1).

[0037] According to the preceding definition, a plasma gas 12 within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a gas or a gas mixture with which or from which the plasma is generated.

[0038] The device body 8 contains at least one first flow channel 13, through which the plasma gas 12 is supplied. During the course of the first flow channel 13, the plasma gas 12 enters the influence zone of the at least one induction coil 11, thereby generating the plasma. For the thermal treatment of the material 2, the plasma itself, a hot gas generated with it and introduced into the treatment chamber 5, or a combination of plasma and hot gas can be used. The plasma generating element 9 can therefore be configured such that the plasma exits the device body 8 and / or the hot gas, which can also flow through or is generated in the first flow channel 13, exits the device body 8.

[0039] The first flow channel 13 can be arranged concentrically to a longitudinal center axis 14 through the device body 8 and / or form the innermost channel for the flow of a gas. The first flow channel 13 can also be arranged on the device body 8. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary that the first flow channel 13 be arranged concentrically extending along the longitudinal center axis 14 through the device body 8 as shown in Fig. 2. It can also be arranged or formed laterally or at least partially obliquely. A second flow channel 15 is also arranged or formed in the device body 8. This serves to supply a fuel gas 16 (indicated by a flow arrow in Fig. 1) to the burner 10. The fuel gas 16 can be supplied during the start-up phase of the device 1 in a process with at least partial provision of thermal energy by means of combustion in the device body 8 or at the outlet.The plasma gas 16 is ignited in the area of ​​the outlet from the device body 8 (if the thermal energy in the device 6 is insufficient for combustion) in order to be subsequently combusted. The device 6 may have an ignition element (not shown) for ignition. During normal operation after the start-up phase, the thermal energy in the device 6 will normally be sufficiently high for the combustion of the fuel gas 16, so that separate ignition is not required. The same applies if, in the device 6 or in the process carried out, the plasma generating element 9 is started up first and only then the burner 10.

[0040] For the supply of the fuel gas 16, the device 1 or the apparatus 6 can have at least one supply element 17, for example a nozzle, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, an oxygen source 18 is supplied to the fuel gas 16 (indicated in Fig. 1 by a flow arrow), for which the device 1 or the apparatus 6 may have at least one supply element 19, for example a nozzle, etc.

[0042] The oxygen source 18 can be supplied to the fuel gas 16 before, within, and / or after the device 6, so that a corresponding mixture of fuel gas 16 and oxygen source 18 reaches a combustion zone 20 of the device 6. The combustion zone 20 is indicated in Fig. 2 as a dashed flame. If the mixing takes place after the device 6, the oxygen source 18 is supplied, in particular, at the outlet of the fuel gas 16 from the device 6.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, however, the oxygen source 18 is used as a plasma gas 12, so that the mixing with the fuel gas 16 takes place at least partially, preferably entirely, in the device 6.

[0044] The plasma gas 12 is therefore at least a portion of the fuel gas 16, i.e., the fuel gas mixture, so that—as indicated in Fig. 1—this component of the fuel gas 16, namely at least the oxygen source 18, and the plasma gas 12 can be supplied to the device 6 via a common feed element 19. However, separate supply of this component of the fuel gas 16 and the plasma gas 12 to the device 6 via at least one feed element 19 each is also possible.

[0045] At least a portion of the fuel gas 16, which is not an oxygen source 18, can be mixed with the plasma gas 12 in the device 6. The position of the root of the combustion zone 20 (combustion flame) can be influenced by the proportion of this fuel gas component in the plasma gas. To prevent flame flashback, the proportion of this fuel gas component in the plasma gas should be selected to be low stoichiometrically.

[0046] It may be provided that a third flow channel 21 for a gaseous fluid is arranged in the device body 8, at least partially concentric to the first flow channel 13. This gaseous fluid can be used as a cooling gas to protect the device body 8 from overheating by the plasma generating element 9. The cooling gas can also be formed by the plasma gas 12, in particular by oxygen source 18.

[0047] The first, second, and third flow channels 13, 15, 21 can be at least partially tubular, for example, with a circular cross-section. The first and / or the third flow channel 13, 21 can, for example, be formed from a quartz glass tube, an aluminum oxide tube, a bomitride tube, etc.

[0048] The first flow channel 13 can be configured as a tube made of the aforementioned materials and arranged at a distance from the inner surface of the device body 8 (in particular, the surface 9 behind which the induction coil 11 is arranged) selected from a range of 0 mm to 30 mm, particularly 0 mm to 20 mm. However, the configuration of the first flow channel 13 as a tube is not essential for the invention.

[0049] In principle, the second flow channel 15 for supplying the fuel gas 16 can be arranged next to the first flow channel 13 for supplying the plasma gas 12 in the device body 8 or in the device 6. However, according to one embodiment of the device 6, the second flow channel 15 for supplying the fuel gas 16 can be arranged at least partially or entirely concentrically to the first flow channel 13 for supplying the plasma gas 12 in the device body 8 or in the device 6.

[0050] It can further be provided that the feed element 17 for the oxygen source 18 is arranged concentrically to the first flow channel 13 and / or concentrically to the second flow channel 15, so that the oxygen source 17 is introduced centrally into the first or second flow channel 13, 15. With the central, i.e., centric, feed of the oxygen source 18 in the direction of the longitudinal center axis 14, the combustion zone 20, i.e., the flame of the burner 10, can be made shorter, so that the substance 2 or the inner lining of the treatment chamber 5 is better protected from the direct effect of the flame of the burner 10. Due to the central, centric feed of the oxygen source, the fuel gas 16 "finds" the reaction partner required for combustion more quickly.

[0051] As indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 2, it can be provided that the second flow channel 13 is arranged at an angle 23 to the first flow channel 13, which consists of a region of 5, at least in an end section 22 from which the fuel gas 16 exits. 0 and 85°, especially between 60 0and 85°. As previously explained, the angled introduction of the fuel gas 16 allows the device 6 to be better adapted to different ratios of thermal "power" of the plasma / thermal "power" from the combustion. This can also be achieved alternatively or additionally by changing the position of the fuel gas 16 outlet from the second flow channel 15 and / or by pulsed introduction of the fuel gas 16 into the second flow channel 15. The size of the angle 23 thus allows the size and / or position of the combustion zone 20 to be changed. This also makes it possible for the combustion components to mix sufficiently for combustion only outside the device 6, particularly at the fuel gas 16 outlet from the device 6.

[0052] The angle 23 is measured between the longitudinal center axis 14 through the device body 8 and the longitudinal center axis through the channel section in the end section 22, as can be seen from Fig. 2.

[0053] The oxygen source 18 can be supplied exclusively to the device 6. However, it is also possible for the oxygen source 18 to be introduced directly into the treatment chamber 5 via one or more additional supply elements 17, as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 1. The at least one additional supply element 17 can be arranged on the housing of the treatment chamber 5. In particular, the additional supply of the oxygen source 18 can be made in areas with so-called hot spots, which can be cooled by the supply of the oxygen source 18.

[0054] The hot spots differ depending on the geometry of the treatment chamber 5. However, they are uniquely definable for one and the same treatment chamber 5, so that the placement of at least one additional feed element 17 for the respective treatment chamber 5 can be uniquely determined.

[0055] The treatment chamber 5 has an exhaust gas outlet 24 that can lead to a chimney 25. As also shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1, according to one embodiment of the device 1, the exhaust gas outlet 24 can be connected to the device 6 via a further flow channel 26, so that the exhaust gas can be recirculated back into the process for providing thermal energy. For example, the exhaust gas can be used as a component of the plasma gas 12, especially if the exhaust gas contains argon. The exhaust gas can also be used for cooling the aforementioned hot spots. If, during a phase of the process, only the plasma generation element 9 of the device 6 is operated, i.e., no chemical combustion takes place, the exhaust gas can also be fed to the combustion process in a later phase of the process.Alternatively or additionally, at least one heat exchanger 27 (e.g., a recuperator, a regenerator, or generally a heat transfer unit) can be arranged in this further flow channel 26, which extracts heat from the exhaust gas. This heat can be used to preheat the plasma gas 12 (or fuel gas 16), in particular the oxygen source 18. The heat can also be fed into another process.

[0056] It should be mentioned at this point that the device 1 can have several devices 6, which are preferably all designed according to one of the embodiments of the invention.

[0057] In another embodiment of the device 1, the treatment chamber 5 can be designed as a closed chamber instead of an open one. This allows for the creation of overpressure in the treatment chamber 5, thus preventing the entry of air from the environment of the device 1 into the treatment chamber 5 and consequently the supply of nitrogen. This, in turn, reduces or prevents the formation of nitrogen oxides.

[0058] The device 1 or the apparatus 6 can include a data processing element and / or data transmission element 28 for wired or wireless data transmission. The device 1 or the apparatus 6 can be connected to an energy exchange (electricity and / or gas) for data exchange via this element, so that a control element 29 of the device 1 or the apparatus 6 can regulate the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generation element and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion in relation to the total input thermal energy, depending on the control power of an electricity grid and / or depending on the availability of gas.

[0059] In principle, gaseous components not present in the fuel gas 16 can also be added to the plasma gas 12, or conversely, the fuel gas 16 can also contain components not present in the plasma gas 12. However, in the preferred embodiment, only the oxygen source 18 is used as the plasma gas 12.

[0060] Fuel gas 16 may consist of a gas selected from a group including natural gas, hydrogen, gaseous ethanol, blast furnace gas, town gas, methane, ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, butane, carbon monoxide, biomethane, e-NG, LPG, gaseous ethanol and gaseous methanol, ammonia, and mixtures thereof. Other fuel gases 16 may also be used.

[0061] In the preferred embodiment, the gaseous oxygen source 18 is exclusively oxygen or a gas with an oxygen content between 90 vol.%, in particular 95 vol.%, and 99.99 vol.%.

[0062] It is possible to use pure oxygen that is free of gaseous impurities. However, according to one embodiment, for the reasons stated above, an oxygen source 18 containing between 0.1 vol.% and 5 vol.% argon, or a portion of the exhaust gas, particularly if it contains argon, can be used. For example, so-called industrially produced oxygen can be used, which has been produced, for instance, by the known PSA process (Pressure Swing Adsorption) or by known cryogenic technology. The oxygen source 18 can be used in a stoichiometric proportion with respect to the combustion of the fuel gas 16. However, according to one embodiment, the oxygen source 18 can also be supplied in a superstoichiometric proportion. The superstoichiometric injection is for the highest possible input of electrical energy into the plasma flame.Cooling the outer areas of the plasma flame is advantageous.

[0063] The exemplary embodiments show possible design variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that combinations of the individual design variants are also possible.

[0064] For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, the equipment 1 and the device 6 are not necessarily shown to scale. Reference symbols

[0065] Furnishings

[0066] Material

[0067] Recording

[0068] Housing

[0069] Treatment chamber

[0070] device

[0071] Media flow

[0072] Device body

[0073] Plasma generating element

[0074] burner

[0075] Induction coil

[0076] Plasma gas

[0077] Flow channel

[0078] Longitudinal center axis

[0079] Flow channel

[0080] Fuel gas

[0081] Feed element

[0082] oxygen source

[0083] Feed element

[0084] combustion zone

[0085] Flow channel

[0086] Final section

[0087] angle

[0088] exhaust outlet

[0089] chimney

[0090] Flow channel

[0091] Heat exchanger

[0092] Data transmission element

[0093] Rule element

Claims

1. Patent claims 1. A method for the thermal treatment of a substance (2), in particular of or for the production of glass or glass-ceramics, in a furnace, wherein the substance (2) is heated by the combustion of a fuel gas (16) and / or by means of a plasma which is provided in or by a plasma generating element (9) from a plasma gas (12), and / or by means of a hot gas produced with the plasma, characterized in that at least a part of the fuel gas (16) and / or an oxygen source (18), in particular oxygen, is used as the plasma gas (12), wherein the plasma gas (12) is supplied to a device (6) for the provision of thermal energy by means of inductive generation of the plasma.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a feed element (17) for the combustion of the fuel gas (16) is arranged on the device (6) for the or a further oxygen source (18).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the oxygen source (18) is used exclusively as the plasma gas (12).

4. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fuel gas (16) is selected from a group of gases comprising natural gas, hydrogen, gaseous ethanol, blast furnace gas, town gas, methane, ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, butane, carbon monoxide, biomethane, e-NG, LPG, gaseous ethanol and gaseous methanol, ammonia and mixtures thereof.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the oxygen source (18) is exclusively oxygen or a gas with an oxygen content of at least 90 vol.%.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an oxygen source (18) is used which contains between 0.1 vol.% and 5 vol.% argon.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the oxygen source (18) is supplied centrally to the combustion flame or the device (6) for providing thermal energy.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the oxygen source (18) is supplied in a superstoichiometric proportion for the combustion of the fuel gas (16).

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fuel gas (16) and / or the oxygen source (18) for combustion is at an angle (23) between 5° and 85°. 0 is supplied or will be supplied.

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an exhaust gas from a treatment chamber (5) in which the thermal treatment of the substance (2) takes place is added to the plasma gas (12) and / or the fuel gas (16).

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the plasma gas (12) and / or the fuel gas (16) is / are preheated before use.

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generating element (9) and the proportion of thermal energy from the combustion in the total thermal energy input is adjusted and / or controlled depending on the control power of a power grid.

13. Device (6) for providing thermal energy comprising a device body (8) with a plasma generating element (9) in or on which at least one electric induction coil (11) is arranged, and at least one first flow channel (13) arranged in or on the device body (8) for supplying a plasma gas (12), characterized in that a second flow channel (15) for supplying a fuel gas (16) to a burner (10) for combustion of the supplied fuel gas (16) is arranged in or on the device body (8).

14. Device (6) according to claim 13, characterized in that the device body (8) has a supply element (17) for an oxygen source (18).

15. Device (6) according to claim 14, characterized in that the feed element (17) for the oxygen source (18) is arranged concentrically to the first flow channel (13) or concentrically to the second flow channel (15), so that the oxygen source (18) is introduced centrally into the first or second flow channel (13, 15).

16. Device (6) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the second flow channel (15) is arranged at least in an end section (22) from which the fuel gas (16) exits, at an angle (23) to the first flow channel (13), which consists of a region of 5 0 and 85 0 has been selected.

17. Device (1) for the thermal treatment of a material (2), in particular glass or glass ceramic, comprising a burner (10) for the combustion of a fuel gas (16) and a plasma generating element (9), and a treatment chamber (5) for the arrangement or reception of the material (2), characterized in that the burner (10) for the combustion of the fuel gas (16) and the plasma generating element (9) are combined in a common device (6) for the provision of thermal energy, wherein the device (6) is configured according to one of claims 13 to 16.

18. Device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the treatment chamber (5) has an exhaust gas outlet (24) which is connected to a further flow channel (26) with a heat exchanger flow s.

19. Device (1) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that at least one further feed element (17) for the oxygen source (18) or for the exhaust gas from the treatment chamber (5) is arranged in the treatment chamber (5).

20. Device (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the treatment chamber (5) is designed as a closed chamber.

21. Device (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that it has a control element (29) which controls the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generating element (9) and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion to the total thermal energy input as a function of the control power of a power grid.

22. Device (1) according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that it is connected to an energy exchange for data exchange.

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